Digitizing Hoyts Cinemas

Hoyts Cinemas is converting to digital with assistance from Arts Alliance Media, Christie Digital Systems and Doremi Cinema. The effort encompasses the entire Hoyts circuit in both Australia and New Zealand. The effort is part of Hoyts relationship with the Digital Cinema Implementation Partners Australia group.

Christie will convert the entire cinema circuit of over 400 screens across 49 locations to 2K and 4K-ready Series 2 Christie Solaria projectors over the next three years. The agreement is a testament to the 25-year relationship between Christie and Hoyts, and makes the deal the largest of its kind in Australia and New Zealand. The deal was made official at the Australian International Movie Convention in August

Adam Wrightson, Hoyts group technology director says, “We’ve been installing digital systems throughout our circuit since 2003 and have kept pace with the demand for 3D. Now we are taking the final steps toward offering excellent digital presentations to all our patrons. We are in the midst of creating a whole new cinematic experience in our entertainment complexes which, when completed, will include 3D movies as well as alternative content such as live 3D events, premieres and sports broadcasts.”

“The Christie Solaria Series offers a significant advantage in image clarity, brightness and ease of operational adaptability. With the rising popularity of 3D movies and increased flexibility in content and screen management, exhibitors need projectors that show every available content in the best possible light and with the lowest cost of operation,” says George Scheckel, director of international business development for Christie Digital Systems USA.

“We are delighted to support Hoyts as they continue converting their entire circuit to digital,” says Lin Yu, vice president of Christie Asia Pacific. “It is our goal to deliver on the unique entertainment experience for every moviegoer. This exclusive partnership with Hoyts will provide a great benefit to their patrons.”

Doremi Cinema will supply all the playback server technology for the next phase of its digital cinema deployment. The deal also includes delivery of Doremi’s CaptiView Closed Caption Viewing Systems for hard of hearing patrons. The installations are set to begin immediately, and are expected to be complete by the end of 2013.

Delfin Fernandez, Hoyts chief executive officer says, “Our goal is to have 100 percent of our circuit converted to digital cinema over the next 36 months. Having already installed over 80 Doremi servers, we are comfortable knowing Doremi will deliver reliable products along with the innovation necessary to keep Hoyts at the forefront of technology as digital cinema advances into the future. Doremi's expertise in large, international deployments, as well as their capacity to meet installation deadlines, makes for an excellent partnership."

Wrightson says, "Doremi has provided outstanding service to us over the last few years since our first round of installments of their server technology.  For this next phase, the 2K/4K option on the Doremi IMB/ShowVault is essential to our expansion as it allows us the flexibility to convert to 4K when the time is right. The IMB also provides us the benefit of its alternative inputs and full scaling capabilities for alternative content.  We are thrilled to secure our ongoing partnership with Doremi."

“We've enjoyed working with Hoyt's since their initial installation of our servers," says Michael Archer, vice president of Doremi Cinema.  "They represent the next generation of exhibition with their commitment to the latest technology and patron satisfaction. Their commitment to deploying three of Doremi’s products solidifies Doremi’s position as an innovative product company that meets the needs of digital cinema. We are dedicated to exceeding Hoyts’ expectations on this next deployment."

AAM will be working closely in partnership with Hoyts to further develop its software, calling on Hoyts’ experience in cinema advertising services (via its sister company Val Morgan) and its skills and knowledge in cinema operations. In true partnership form, Hoyts will provide ongoing input and feedback to ensure that AAM’s TMS continues to best meet the needs of all exhibitors.

The partnership follows AAM’s announcement in March this year of a deal with Broadmedia to licence its TMS in Japan. The agreement is the first that Arts Alliance Media has completed for a cinema outside those it has equipped as part of its own digital cinema rollout.  Furthermore, this is the first deal of its kind where a major exhibitor has committed to a TMS solution that is independent from the equipment selection and the integration company involved.

Wrightson says, “For an exhibitor, choosing the right TMS is an important decision. It will become the foundation for workflow and management of our entire digital cinema network. An effective TMS will enable us to achieve the operational efficiencies and real revenue opportunities that digital conversion promises. After reviewing all the products in the marketplace we found the AAM TMS to be the most flexible and the most suited to our needs. As we continue to expand our digital cinema platform, we see AAM as a strategic partner to achieving our goals moving forward.”

Fiona Deans, chief operating officer of AAM says, “Although our rollout business is focused in Europe, our content and software businesses are worldwide. We see Hoyts Cinemas as a key customer adding to our worldwide portfolio. Their operational and technical expertise is second to none around the globe making Hoyts a very welcomed client.”

AAM’s vice-president, technical development Matt Sullivan says, “We have been working with Adam and his team for over six months gathering their input on our TMS, which has been invaluable in improving our product. Our relationship is a true partnership and we look forward to continuing to work with them.”

Arts Alliance Media www.artsalliancemedia.com
Christie Digital Systems www.christiedigital.com